JPS6290252A - Method for washing ink jet printer - Google Patents

Method for washing ink jet printer

Info

Publication number
JPS6290252A
JPS6290252A JP23166385A JP23166385A JPS6290252A JP S6290252 A JPS6290252 A JP S6290252A JP 23166385 A JP23166385 A JP 23166385A JP 23166385 A JP23166385 A JP 23166385A JP S6290252 A JPS6290252 A JP S6290252A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
ink
air
orifice
pneumatic chamber
washing solution
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP23166385A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Seiji Fukushima
福島 清司
Koichi Yoneda
米田 広一
Masashi Yasuda
昌司 安田
Junji Maeda
淳次 前田
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sanyo Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Priority to JP23166385A priority Critical patent/JPS6290252A/en
Publication of JPS6290252A publication Critical patent/JPS6290252A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41JTYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01Ink jet
    • B41J2/17Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/20Ink jet characterised by ink handling for preventing or detecting contamination of compounds

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to certainly remove inks present in the vicinity of first and second orifices, by a method wherein a capsule filled with a washing solution is connected to an air supply pipe and the washing solution is fed to a pneumatic chamber under pressure by the force of air to discharge the washing solution from the second orifice to wash the pneumatic chamber. CONSTITUTION:A pneumatic chamber 8 equipped with a second orifice 10, an air supply pipe 15 and a valve device 17 are provided in front of a first orifice 7. A coupler 22 communicating the valve device 17 with the air supply pipe 15 is detached and a capsule 23 filled with a washing solution 24 is mounted in place of the coupler 22 and the washing solution 24 in the capsule 23 is fed into the pneumatic chamber 8 under pressure by an air stream to wash the pneumatic chamber 8. When the washing solution 24 flows in the pneumatic chamber 8 as it is, because the washing solution 24 is mixed in an ink head, washing, is performed after the pneumatic chamber 8 has been filled with ink. By washing the pneumatic chamber 8 with the washing solution and discharging the washing solution from the ink head through the second orifice 10 the foreign matter and adhered substance in the pneumatic chamber can be removed.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 (イ)産業上の利用分野 本発明は微小インク滴を噴射するインクヘッドをクリー
ニングするインクジェットプリンタの洗浄方法に関する
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an inkjet printer cleaning method for cleaning an ink head that ejects minute ink droplets.

の 第6図は微小インク滴を噴射するインクヘッドのインク
滴噴射孔近傍をクリーニングするクリーニング装置を備
えたインクジェットプリンタを示す。円筒ドラムC19
がその表面に記録用紙f181を密着巻回して支持して
おり、斯る円筒ドラムと軸平行に案内杆■が配置されて
いる。案内杆群はキャリッジ(21)を摺動自在に装架
するものである。キャリッジ(2υは円筒ドラムα&の
周方向に該ドラム表面と平行に延びるアーチ状をなし、
その内面に第1〜第4のインクヘッド(1a)〜(1d
)を分数的に配列固着している。これら第1〜第4ヘツ
ド(1a)〜(1d)は夫々マゼンタ、シアン、イエロ
ー、ブラックの各インクを噴射でき、従って、円筒ドラ
ムα90回転を主走査とし、キャリッジ(2IJの移動
をgす走査として、記録画信号に応じて第1〜第4ヘッ
ド(1a)〜(1d)より適宜インク滴を噴射させるこ
とにより、記録用紙αaにカラー画像が記録される。
FIG. 6 shows an inkjet printer equipped with a cleaning device that cleans the vicinity of the ink droplet ejection holes of the ink head that ejects minute ink droplets. Cylindrical drum C19
The recording paper f181 is tightly wound and supported on its surface, and a guide rod is arranged parallel to the axis of the cylindrical drum. The guide rod group is for slidably mounting the carriage (21). The carriage (2υ has an arch shape extending in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical drum α& parallel to the drum surface,
The first to fourth ink heads (1a) to (1d) are formed on the inner surface of the ink head.
) are fixed in a fractional arrangement. These first to fourth heads (1a) to (1d) are capable of ejecting magenta, cyan, yellow, and black inks, respectively.Therefore, 90 rotations of the cylindrical drum α are used as main scanning, and the movement of the carriage (2IJ is used as g scanning). A color image is recorded on the recording paper αa by appropriately ejecting ink droplets from the first to fourth heads (1a) to (1d) according to the recording image signal.

第7図に上記各インクヘッド(1a)〜(1d)の構造
を示す。斯るヘッド自体は周知であシ、その構造及び動
作を以下簡単に説明する0圧電振動体(2)が記録信号
に応じて変形し、ホーン室(3)内の圧力伝播媒体に圧
力が印加されると、ホーン室開口に設けた薄板(4)が
それと接するインク室(51側に突出する。インク室(
5)にはインク導入パイプ(L3を経て常にインクが満
たされており、従って、薄板(4)の突出によりその突
出前方のインクが第1のオリフィス(7)より突出し、
次いで第1のオリフィス(7)と同軸上にある第2のオ
リフィス(10)よりインク滴(9)として飛び出す。
FIG. 7 shows the structure of each of the ink heads (1a) to (1d). Such a head itself is well known, and its structure and operation will be briefly explained below.A piezoelectric vibrator (2) deforms in response to a recording signal, and pressure is applied to a pressure propagation medium in a horn chamber (3). When the thin plate (4) provided at the horn chamber opening protrudes toward the ink chamber (51) in contact with the thin plate (4), the ink chamber (
5) is always filled with ink via the ink introduction pipe (L3), and therefore, due to the protrusion of the thin plate (4), the ink in front of the protrusion protrudes from the first orifice (7).
The ink droplets then emerge as ink droplets (9) from a second orifice (10) coaxial with the first orifice (7).

空気供給管(1シを介してエアポンプから圧送される空
気が、第1のオリフィス(7)と第2のオリフィス00
)との間に設けた空気室(8)内で中央に集まシ、次い
で第2のオリフィスααより噴出することによシ高速空
気流を形成しており、従って、インク滴(9)はこの流
れに助けられて、高速記録に必要な十分な飛翔速度をも
つ。
Air is pumped from the air pump through the air supply pipe (1) to the first orifice (7) and the second orifice (00).
) The ink droplets (9) gather at the center in the air chamber (8) provided between the Aided by this flow, it has sufficient flight speed necessary for high-speed recording.

ところで、この種インクジェットプリンタは、印写動作
時にインクヘッドが記録用紙(181と近接するために
、インク滴が記録用紙(181と倒突した際発生するイ
ンクの飛沫が噴射面に跳ね返り噴射面を汚染する。
By the way, in this type of inkjet printer, the ink head comes close to the recording paper (181) during the printing operation, so the ink droplets that are generated when the ink droplets collide with the recording paper (181) bounce back onto the ejection surface, causing the ejection surface to become To contaminate.

斯るインクヘッド(1a)〜(1d)に於ける噴射面の
汚染は記録用紙081の繊維質や頭埃を吸着したりして
、長期間放置に対しインクヘッド(1a)〜(1d)の
インク滴噴射孔の目詰まりを招く一因を為す。特にイン
ク滴噴射孔近傍のインクに微弱な圧力変化を加えること
によってインク滴を噴射せしめるオンデマンド型のイン
クヘッドにあっては、前述の如くインク滴の噴射が微弱
な加圧力によるために記録用紙と数ミリ程度の間隙のみ
しか形成されておらずインク飛沫の跳ね返シが多いにも
拘らず、一旦目詰まシが発生するとこの目詰まシを容易
に自己復帰することはできない。
Contamination of the ejection surfaces of the ink heads (1a) to (1d) can be caused by adsorption of fibers and head dust from the recording paper 081, which may cause the ink heads (1a) to (1d) to become contaminated when left for a long period of time. This is one of the causes of clogging of the ink droplet ejection holes. In particular, in on-demand type ink heads that eject ink droplets by applying a weak pressure change to the ink near the ink droplet ejection holes, the ink droplets are ejected from the recording paper because of the weak pressure force as described above. Despite the fact that only a gap of several millimeters is formed and ink droplets often bounce back, once clogging occurs, the clogging cannot be easily repaired by itself.

そこで従来からインクヘッドへのインク飛沫の跳ね返り
付着及び繊維質・塵埃の吸着を防止するために長期間放
置される以前にクリーニングすることを目的としてクリ
ーニング部品を備えたインクジェットプリンタが実開昭
58−128034号公報等に図示されている。
To prevent ink droplets from rebounding and adhering to the ink head and adhering to fibers and dust, inkjet printers have been equipped with cleaning parts for the purpose of cleaning the ink head before it is left unused for a long period of time. This is illustrated in JP-A No. 128034 and the like.

すなわち、第6図に示す如くインク助ヘッド(1a)〜
(1d)のプリントポジションとホームポジションとの
間に、発泡ウレタン、海綿等の多孔質構造体を一体成形
したクリーニング部材6Dを備えたクリーニング装量(
至)が配設され、各当接部(31a)〜(31d)を水
にて、湿潤状態に設定している。そして、インクヘッド
(1a)〜(1d)が、プリントポジションとホームポ
ジションとの間を移動する過程において、クリーニング
部材(至)の当接部(31a)〜(31d)とインクヘ
ッド(1a)〜(1d)の噴射面が摺接し、付着したイ
ンク飛沫や塵埃等を剥ぎ取シクリーニングするものであ
る。
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink auxiliary heads (1a) to
A cleaning unit (1d) equipped with a cleaning member 6D integrally formed with a porous structure such as urethane foam or sponge between the print position and the home position (1d).
), and each contact portion (31a) to (31d) is set in a wet state with water. In the process in which the ink heads (1a) to (1d) move between the print position and the home position, the contact portions (31a) to (31d) of the cleaning member (to) and the ink heads (1a) to The ejection surface (1d) comes into sliding contact and removes adhering ink droplets, dust, etc. for cleaning.

El  発明が解決しようとする問題点この様に湿潤状
態にあるクリーニング部材3Dの当接部(31a)〜(
31d)と、インクヘッド(1a)〜(1d)の噴射面
と、を摺接せしめることにより良好にクリーニング作用
することがでるものの、インクヘッド内部に付着したイ
ンク凝固物、ゴギなどの異物は除去することができない
0 また、特開昭58−14757号公報に開示されている
ように、非印写時に、空気室(8)内にインクを充填し
、印写動作時に、このインクを排出して、クリーニング
動作を行なう方法もある。しかしながら、このインク排
出動作によるクリーニング動作においても、ノズル面に
付着したインクは充分に取り除くことができなかった。
El Problems to be Solved by the Invention The contact portions (31a) to (31a) to (3D) of the cleaning member 3D in such a wet state
31d) and the ejection surfaces of the ink heads (1a) to (1d), a good cleaning effect can be obtained, but it is difficult to remove foreign substances such as ink coagulation and goggles that adhere to the inside of the ink heads. Furthermore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-14757, ink is filled in the air chamber (8) when not printing, and this ink is discharged during printing. There is also a method of performing a cleaning operation. However, even in this cleaning operation using the ink discharge operation, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface could not be sufficiently removed.

特に、安定的な印写を行うためノズル面に撥水処理を施
しているものでは、わずかな付着物が残存していると、
撥水性の低下になり、不安定な印写の原因となるなどの
問題があった。
In particular, if the nozzle surface is treated with water repellent treatment to ensure stable printing, if a small amount of deposit remains,
There were problems such as a decrease in water repellency and causing unstable printing.

(ロ)問題点を解決するための手段 インク滴を噴射する第1のオリフィスの前方に第2のオ
リフィスを設けた空気室を設けたイン   −クヘッド
を備えたインクジェットプリンタにおいて−空気供給管
に洗浄液の入ったカプセルを接続し、この洗浄液を空気
の力により空気室へ圧送し、第2のオリフィスより洗浄
液を排出せしめ、前記空気室の内面を洗浄することを特
徴とするインクジェットプリンタの洗浄方法0 (ホ)作 用 本発明によれば、カプセル内に入った洗浄液で空気室内
を洗浄することにより、第1、第2のオリフィス近傍の
インク等を硲実に除去することができる。
(b) Means for solving the problem In an inkjet printer equipped with an ink head having an air chamber with a second orifice in front of a first orifice that ejects ink droplets, a cleaning liquid is placed in the air supply pipe. A cleaning method for an inkjet printer, characterized in that the cleaning liquid is forced into an air chamber by the force of air, the cleaning liquid is discharged from a second orifice, and the inner surface of the air chamber is cleaned. (E) Function According to the present invention, ink and the like near the first and second orifices can be thoroughly removed by cleaning the air chamber with the cleaning liquid contained in the capsule.

(へ)実施例 本発明の一実施例を第1図ないし第5図に従い説明する
。尚、従来例と同一部分には同一符号を付し説明を省略
する0 本実施例のインクジェットプリンタは、インクヘッドf
ilの空気室(8)及びインク槽avに夫々空気供給W
σ51シを介して空気流(161を適宜付加せしめるエ
アポンプ旧1が配設されている。このエアポンプIと空
気室(8)との間の空気供給管的にはカップラのを介し
て弁装置aηが設けられている。この弁装置αηは例え
ば三方電磁弁から成v1印写動作時にエアポンプa4゛
1と空気室(8)とを連通状態にする。
(F) Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Note that the same parts as those in the conventional example are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.
Air supply W to the air chamber (8) of IL and the ink tank AV, respectively.
An air pump old 1 is installed which adds an air flow (161) as appropriate through the air pump I and the air chamber (8). This valve device αη is, for example, a three-way solenoid valve, and connects the air pump a4'1 and the air chamber (8) during the printing operation.

マス、斯るインクジェットプリンタの印写動作につき簡
単に説明する。
The printing operation of such an inkjet printer will be briefly explained.

第1図はインクジェットプリンタの印写動作時の断面図
を示す。さて、印写動作時は、前述した弁装置αηはエ
アポンプ(141と空気室(8)とを連通状態にしてい
る0而して、第1のオリフィス(71から噴射せしめら
れたインク滴は空気流の流れに助けらの C10に巻回された記録用紙(18i上に記録される。
FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the inkjet printer during printing operation. Now, during the printing operation, the aforementioned valve device αη communicates the air pump (141) with the air chamber (8), and the ink droplets ejected from the first orifice (71) are air-filled. Recording is carried out on a recording paper (18i) wound around C10 of the current flow.

つぎに非印写動作時につき説明する。Next, the non-printing operation will be explained.

第2図は非印写動作時の状態を示す断面図である0 非印写時は第2のオリフィス:10〕は蓋体6によって
覆蓋され空気室(81が外部と処断状態となる。ζにい
で、上記空気¥(8)にインクをインクti9(llt
から第1のオリフィス(71と至るインク系を介して供
給するべく、弁装置αηを切り換え空気室(81を外気
と連通せしめる。この弁装置(!rの切替えで空気室(
8)とエアポンプ(1,ilとは閉状態になる。
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state during non-printing operation. During non-printing, the second orifice (10) is covered by the lid 6 and the air chamber (81 is in the processing state with the outside). Then add ink to the air (8).
In order to supply ink from the ink system to the first orifice (71), the valve device αη is switched to connect the air chamber (81) with the outside air.By switching this valve device (!r), the air chamber (
8) and the air pump (1, il) are closed.

この状態でエアポンプ(141を稼動せしめると、空気
流(1θはインク槽ullに向って流れ該インク槽(i
ll内のインクを加圧する。このインク槽(1)1内の
インクの圧力上昇はインク供給WI121.インクコネ
クタα3、更にインク供給管a2Jを伝播しインク室1
5)のインクを加圧することになる。従って、第1のオ
リフィス(7)近傍のインク室(51のインクの圧力は
空気室(8)の圧力に比べ序々に上昇する。この圧力差
が第1のオリフィス(71に於けるインクの平衡状態を
打ち破ぶる閾値に到達すれば、該第1のオリフィス(7
)から空気室(8)にインクが流れ出す。このインクの
流れ出しを補助する為に圧電振動体(2)に電気信号を
印加し薄板(4)を連続的に湾曲振動せしめると、イン
クの平衡は直ちに崩れ第1のオリフィス(7)から空Z
室(8)にインクが流れ初める。一旦インクが流れ出す
と、圧電振動体(2)への′−電気信号印加を停止して
も空気室(8)の圧力(空気圧)はインク室(5)のイ
ンク圧に比べ低圧であるので上記インクの供給は継続さ
れる。この様にして第1のオリフィス(7)は空気室(
8)内に供給されたインクでUわれる。
When the air pump (141) is operated in this state, the air flow (1θ) flows toward the ink tank (i).
Pressurize the ink in the tank. This increase in the pressure of the ink in the ink tank (1) 1 is caused by the ink supply WI121. The ink connector α3 is further propagated through the ink supply pipe a2J to the ink chamber 1.
5) The ink will be pressurized. Therefore, the pressure of the ink in the ink chamber (51) near the first orifice (7) gradually increases compared to the pressure in the air chamber (8). When the threshold value that overcomes the condition is reached, the first orifice (7
) the ink flows out into the air chamber (8). When an electrical signal is applied to the piezoelectric vibrator (2) to continuously vibrate the thin plate (4) in order to assist the flow of ink, the balance of the ink immediately collapses and the empty Z is released from the first orifice (7).
Ink begins to flow into chamber (8). Once the ink begins to flow, even if the application of the electric signal to the piezoelectric vibrator (2) is stopped, the pressure (air pressure) in the air chamber (8) is lower than the ink pressure in the ink chamber (5). Ink supply continues. In this way the first orifice (7) has an air chamber (
8) Printed with the ink supplied inside.

このインクの供給は空気室(81若しくは該空気室(8
1近傍の空気供給管α〕に設けられた適当な構出手段の
検出出力により制御さnる。
This ink supply is carried out in the air chamber (81) or in the air chamber (81).
It is controlled by the detection output of an appropriate configuration means provided in the air supply pipe [alpha] near [1].

本実施例に於いてはインクl商噴躬装′1Ji(IIの
ボデイシ■とf8縁製の空気供給管U内の検出′4極1
27+との間の抵抗値を検出しているO即ち、空気供給
官l内をインクが上昇し、検出4極271を没f貴する
と、ボディ舗と検出4極(2)間の抵抗1直は上aCイ
ンクによって激減しインクの充填終了を検出する0また
、圧4振励体(2)の振動を充填終了まで継続すnばイ
ンクの充填は迅速に行なわれるばかりか完全となるので
、通常この方法が採用さnる。
In this embodiment, the detection '4 pole 1 in the air supply pipe U made of the body ■ and f8 edge of the ink l commercial injection device '1Ji (II)
When the ink rises in the air supply tube 271 detecting the resistance value between the body and the detection pole 271, the resistance between the body and the detection pole 271 increases. In addition, if the vibration of the pressure 4 vibrator (2) is continued until the filling is completed, the ink filling will not only be done quickly but also completely. This method is usually adopted.

上記検出手段により空気菟(81へのインクの充填終了
が検出されると、エアポンプα1)の稼動は停止しイン
ク(’J(illの圧力は序々に低下する0一方、空気
室(8)は空気供給管(151を介して外気と連通状態
にあり、この状態で上述の如くインク(fi(illの
圧力が低下すると、空気室(8)に供給され充填された
インクはインクIuυに向って逆流する為に、弁装q(
171を閉じる。従って、空気室(8)及び空気供給管
αjの系は閉状態となり、インクの逆流は阻止される。
When the above detection means detects that the air chamber (81 is filled with ink), the operation of the air pump α1 is stopped and the pressure of the ink ('J(ill) gradually decreases. On the other hand, the air chamber (8) It is in communication with the outside air via the air supply pipe (151), and in this state, as described above, when the pressure of the ink (fi(ill) decreases, the ink supplied and filled in the air chamber (8) flows toward the ink Iuυ. In order to reverse flow, valve system q (
Close 171. Therefore, the system of the air chamber (8) and the air supply pipe αj is closed, and backflow of ink is prevented.

この結果インク滴噴射装置(1)は非印写動作時ホーム
ポジションに於いて空気室(8)にインクが充填された
状態となり第1のオリスイス(7)は上記インクで覆わ
れるので、乾燥並びに塵埃の付着を主因とする目言古シ
は防止される。
As a result, the ink droplet ejecting device (1) is in the home position during non-printing operation, and the air chamber (8) is filled with ink, and the first orifice (7) is covered with the ink, so that drying and Obsolescence caused mainly by adhesion of dust is prevented.

次に第3図ないし第5図に従い本発明による洗浄方法に
つき説明する。
Next, the cleaning method according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

本発明の洗浄方法は、弁装置(171と空気供給w(l
s+とを連通せしめているカップラQzを取シ外し、こ
のカップラのの代シに、水などからなる洗浄iC2,u
を充填したカプセル1231を取り付け、このカプセル
の内の洗浄液(2滲を空気流により空気室(8)内へ圧
送し、空気室(8)内を洗浄するものである。しかし、
この空気供給管(IE9にカプセル囚を取り付ける際に
、インクヘッド+1)内に空気吸い込み等のショックを
与えたシ、又空気のみが存在する空気室(8)にそのま
ま洗浄液が流入すると、ヘッド内部に洗浄液が混入し、
印写に悪影響を与える可能性がある。そこで、空気室(
8)に前述したインク充填を行なった後に、本発明の洗
浄を行なう方が艮い。
The cleaning method of the present invention includes a valve device (171) and an air supply w(l
Remove the coupler Qz that connects the
A capsule 1231 filled with is attached, and the cleaning liquid (2 exudate) inside this capsule is forced into the air chamber (8) by an air flow to clean the inside of the air chamber (8).However,
When attaching the capsule to the air supply pipe (IE9), if a shock such as air suction is applied to the inside of the ink head +1, or if the cleaning liquid directly flows into the air chamber (8) where only air exists, the inside of the head Cleaning liquid gets mixed into the
It may have a negative effect on the print. Therefore, the air chamber (
It is better to perform the cleaning according to the present invention after performing the ink filling described above in 8).

本実施例では、まず洗険に先立ち、インク充填作業を行
なう。インク充填が終了した時点で第3図に示すように
、カップラ(2ZをIO2,b外し、カップラ17!3
0代りに水などからなる洗浄液−)が充填されたカプセ
ルのを空気供給管051と弁装置αDの間に介挿する。
In this embodiment, an ink filling operation is first performed prior to cleaning. When the ink filling is completed, as shown in Fig. 3, remove the coupler (2Z from IO2, b, and connect the coupler 17!3).
A capsule filled with a cleaning liquid consisting of water or the like is inserted between the air supply pipe 051 and the valve device αD.

このとき弁装置αnはエアポンプa4・とカプセル(2
Jとを遮断した状態にある。
At this time, the valve device αn is connected to the air pump a4 and the capsule (2).
It is in a state where it is cut off from J.

カプセルのを空気供給管(15iと弁装Rfi71の間
に取り付けた後、第4図に示すように弁装置(17)を
操作し、エアポンプ(14)と空気室(15Iとを連通
せしめる。
After the capsule is attached between the air supply pipe (15i) and the valve assembly Rfi71, the valve device (17) is operated as shown in FIG. 4 to communicate the air pump (14) and the air chamber (15I).

尚、この時インクヘット用lはガター四に対同配置せし
めている。
Incidentally, at this time, the ink heads 1 are arranged in the same manner in the gutter 4.

この状態でエアポンプ(141を稼動せしめる。すると
、カプセルのに充填されている洗浄液(J41は空気流
によって、空気供給管051を介て空気室(8)の方向
へ流れてゆ〈0そして、まず、空気室(8)内に充填さ
れていたインクが中心で開孔している第2のオリフィス
Uαから排出され、モして次いて、同じく第2のオリフ
ィス(iαから洗浄液が排出される。そして、この排出
されたインクおよび洗浄液は対向配置されたガターc!
lによつて捕獲される。排出動作が終了すると空気流α
Gは停止し、第1のオリフィス(71に訃いてインクの
平衡は保念れる。
In this state, the air pump (141) is operated. Then, the cleaning liquid (J41) filled in the capsule flows through the air supply pipe 051 toward the air chamber (8) due to the air flow. The ink filled in the air chamber (8) is discharged from the second orifice Uα opened at the center, and then the cleaning liquid is discharged from the second orifice (iα) as well. Then, the discharged ink and cleaning liquid are transferred to the facing gutter c!
Captured by l. When the discharge operation is completed, the air flow α
G is stopped and the ink balance is maintained through the first orifice (71).

この洗浄動作によって、まずインクによって第1のオリ
フィス(7)と第2のオリフィスααの近傍の空気室(
8)内面に付着したインクの凝固物をある程度除去し、
次いて排出される洗浄液によって、空気室(8)内かク
リーニングされ、空気室(8)内の付着物等を完全に除
去することができる。
By this cleaning operation, the ink first fills the air chambers (
8) Remove some of the ink coagulation that adhered to the inner surface,
The inside of the air chamber (8) is then cleaned by the cleaning liquid discharged, and deposits and the like inside the air chamber (8) can be completely removed.

然る後、第5図に示すように、カプセルc’a Y(取
り外し、カップラc!zにて弁装置(17)と空気供給
管05を接続して待機状態となる。
After that, as shown in FIG. 5, the capsule c'a Y (removed) connects the valve device (17) and the air supply pipe 05 with the coupler c!z, and enters a standby state.

()l  発明の詳細 な説明したように、本発明方法によれば、洗浄液にて空
気室内を洗浄し、第2のオリフィスよシ洗浄液をインク
ヘッドから排出することにより、空気室内の異物、付着
物などを除去することができるので、安定した印写が行
なえる〇
()l As described in detail, according to the method of the present invention, by cleaning the air chamber with a cleaning liquid and discharging the cleaning liquid from the ink head through the second orifice, foreign matter in the air chamber can be removed. Kimono etc. can be removed, allowing for stable printing.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of drawings]

第1図ないし第5図は本発明の一実i1例を動作別に説
明するための断面−1第6図は従来のクリーニング装置
を備えたインクジェットプリンタの斜視図、第7図は典
型的なインクヘッドの断面図である。 5・・・インク堅、  7・・・第1のオリフィス、8
・・・空気室、  10・・・第2のオリフィス、15
・・・空気供給管、  17・・・弁装置、  22・
・・カッグラ、  23・・・カプセル、  24・・
・洗浄液。
1 to 5 are cross-sections for explaining one example of the present invention by operation. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer equipped with a conventional cleaning device, and FIG. 7 is a typical inkjet printer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the head. 5... Ink hard, 7... First orifice, 8
...Air chamber, 10...Second orifice, 15
... air supply pipe, 17 ... valve device, 22.
...Kagura, 23...Capsule, 24...
・Cleaning liquid.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] (1)インクが満たされたインク室と、このインク室に
圧力変化を与える圧力変化手段と、この圧力変化手段の
圧力変化によってインク室からインク滴を噴射せしめる
第1のオリフィスと、この第1のオリフィスの前方に設
けられた空気室と、この空気室に空気を導入する空気供
給菅と、前記空気室から開口し前記第1のオリフィスか
ら噴射せしめられたインク滴が通過する第2のオリフィ
スと、からなるインクヘッドを備えたインクジェットプ
リンタにおいて、前記空気供給管に洗浄液の入ったカプ
セルを接続し、この洗浄液を空気の力により空気室へ圧
送し、前記第2のオリフィスより洗浄液を排出せしめ、
前記空気室の内面を洗浄することを特徴とするインクジ
ェットプリンタの洗浄方法。
(1) An ink chamber filled with ink, a pressure change means for applying a pressure change to the ink chamber, a first orifice that causes ink droplets to be ejected from the ink chamber by the pressure change of the pressure change means, and the first orifice. an air chamber provided in front of the orifice; an air supply tube for introducing air into the air chamber; and a second orifice that opens from the air chamber and through which ink droplets ejected from the first orifice pass. In an inkjet printer equipped with an ink head, a capsule containing a cleaning liquid is connected to the air supply pipe, and the cleaning liquid is forced into the air chamber by the force of the air, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the second orifice. ,
A method for cleaning an inkjet printer, comprising cleaning the inner surface of the air chamber.
JP23166385A 1985-10-17 1985-10-17 Method for washing ink jet printer Pending JPS6290252A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP23166385A JPS6290252A (en) 1985-10-17 1985-10-17 Method for washing ink jet printer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP23166385A JPS6290252A (en) 1985-10-17 1985-10-17 Method for washing ink jet printer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS6290252A true JPS6290252A (en) 1987-04-24

Family

ID=16927029

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP23166385A Pending JPS6290252A (en) 1985-10-17 1985-10-17 Method for washing ink jet printer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS6290252A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5190314A (en) * 1990-07-04 1993-03-02 Mazda Motor Corporation Glove box structure of vehicle
WO1994016900A1 (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-08-04 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Nozzle plate for ink jet printer
US5793389A (en) * 1995-09-25 1998-08-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Fluid purge apparatus and method for ink jet printer pen
EP2454098A1 (en) * 2010-01-25 2012-05-23 Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P. Hard imaging devices and hard imaging device operational methods

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5190314A (en) * 1990-07-04 1993-03-02 Mazda Motor Corporation Glove box structure of vehicle
WO1994016900A1 (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-08-04 Domino Printing Sciences Plc Nozzle plate for ink jet printer
US5706039A (en) * 1993-01-27 1998-01-06 Domino Printing Science Plc Nozzle plate for ink jet printer
US5793389A (en) * 1995-09-25 1998-08-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Fluid purge apparatus and method for ink jet printer pen
US5900890A (en) * 1995-09-25 1999-05-04 Hewlett-Packard Company Fluid purge apparatus and method for ink jet printer pen
EP2454098A1 (en) * 2010-01-25 2012-05-23 Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P. Hard imaging devices and hard imaging device operational methods
EP2454098A4 (en) * 2010-01-25 2012-12-05 Hewlett Packard Development Co Hard imaging devices and hard imaging device operational methods
US9180677B2 (en) 2010-01-25 2015-11-10 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Hard imaging devices and hard imaging device operational methods

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